The IU Online MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety focuses on the intersection of these two exciting fields. The program will appeal to individuals interested in the fields of policing, homeland security, and emergency management. Students may complete coursework in a variety of special topics, including crime mapping, geographic information systems, and cybersecurity, among others. The flexible online program also meets the needs of individuals currently working in criminal justice and security careers.

As a student in the program, you:

• Examine criminal justice and public safety system actors, agencies, and processes
• Explore the underlying operations of police, emergency management, courts, and corrections agencies
• Identify the major policy issues in criminal justice and public safety systems
• Learn to communicate effectively with individuals working in the complex and diverse criminal justice or public safety sectors
• Explore the philosophical underpinnings and development of law, and critically evaluate how criminal justice and public safety policies balance individual rights and public order
• Analyze criminal justice and public safety policies using a variety of tools, including quantitative research methods and statistical techniques, to improve criminal justice and public safety agencies
• Identify and critically analyze current criminal justice and public safety policies using available research and empirical evidence to discuss the strengths and limitations of various approaches

The program allows you to choose from one of two concentrations: public safety or criminal justice.

Public Safety Concentration

As a student in this concentration, you assess public safety risks using various analysis tools and develop plans to prepare, manage, and mitigate natural and human-made crises.

Criminal Justice Concentration

As a student in this concentration, you analyze the nature and extent of crime, critically evaluate major theories of crime, and assess the effectiveness of criminal justice systems, non-criminal justice programs, and other policies and practices that respond to crime.

Your IU Online MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety prepares you for such careers as:

• Correctional officer supervisor
• Police and detective supervisor
• Criminal investigator
• Emergency management director
• Security manager
• Public safety officer

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IUPUI, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety, you must complete 33 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

• Core courses (15 credit hours)
• Concentration courses (18 credit hours)

Core Courses:

1.  Introduction to Public Safety

• SPEA-J 586 Public Safety in the US (3 cr.)

2.  Introduction to Graduate Study in Criminal Justice

Choose one

• CJUS-P 501 Proseminar: Criminal Justice I (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J582 Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.)

3.  Research Methods

Choose one

• CJUS-P 594 Introduction to Research Methods (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)

4.   Statistics

Choose one

• CJUS-P 595 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
• SPEA-V 500 Quantitative Tools for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
• SPEA-V 506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (3 cr.)

5.  Capstone

Choose one

• CJUS-P 619 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 666 Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation (3 cr.)

6.  Theory Requirement

a. Criminal Justice Concentration

Choose one

• CJUS-P 502 Proseminar: Criminal Justice II (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy I (3 cr.)

b.  Public Safety Concentration

• SPEA-J 528 Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.) 

Concentration - Students complete the concentration in Criminal Justice or Public Safety

Criminal Justice Concentration Courses 

Students complete five classes selected from the following list: 

• CJUS-P 512 Corrections (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 515 Police in Society (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 517 Juvenile Justice (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 519 Probation and Parole (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 602 Courts and Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 623 Violent Behavior (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 627 White-collar Crime (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 629 Victimization (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 634 Sentencing Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 671 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
• CJUS-P 682 Seminar on Law Enforcement and Minorities (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 588 Law and Control in Society (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 682 Planning and Management (3 cr.)

Public Safety Concentration Courses

Students complete five classes selected from the following list: 

• CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 524 Crisis Management for Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 531 National and Homeland Security in America (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
• SPEA-J 581 Public Safety Law (3 cr.)
• SPEA-V 560 Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.)
• SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.)